Linear programming bank assets problem

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a linear programming problem concerning a bank's investment strategy for maximizing returns on its assets, while adhering to specific constraints related to risk management. Participants explore the formulation of the linear program and the implications of the constraints on investment choices.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant formulates the linear programming problem, defining variables for different types of loans and establishing an objective function to maximize returns based on given rates.
  • Another participant agrees with the initial formulation but points out that the optimal solution under the current constraints leads to investing entirely in car loans, raising concerns about the lack of risk diversification.
  • Some participants suggest that the problem would be more complex and interesting if personal loans had a higher yield than car loans, as this would introduce additional constraints on personal loans.
  • There is a suggestion to modify the constraint on personal loans to be based on a percentage of the total investment rather than a fixed amount, although it is noted that this change does not affect the outcome in this specific case.
  • A separate post introduces a question unrelated to the linear programming problem, focusing on personal experiences with home loans and good faith estimates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the formulation of the linear programming problem and the implications of the constraints, but there is a disagreement regarding the effectiveness of the current constraints in achieving the goal of minimizing risk through diversification. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal investment strategy.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the constraints may not fully capture the risk management goals intended by the bank, and the discussion highlights the potential for different interpretations of the constraints affecting the investment strategy.

Dr Zoidburg
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
I've got this question to do:
A bank is attempting to determine where its assets should be invested during the current
year. At present $500 million is available for investment in bonds, home loans, car loans,
and personal loans. The annual rate of return on each type of investment is known to be:
bonds, 7%; home loans, 8%; car loans, 12%; personal loans, 11%. In order to ensure that
the bank’s portfolio is not too risky, the bank’s investment manager has placed the
following three restrictions on the bank’s portfolio:
(a) The amount invested in personal loans cannot exceed the amount invested in bonds.
(b) The amount invested in home loans cannot exceed the amount invested in car loans.
(c) No more than 25% of the total amount invested may be in personal loans.
The bank’s objective is to maximize the annual return on its investment portfolio.
Formulate an LP (in standard form) that will enable the bank to meet this goal. Assume
interest is calculated annually.

Pretty straight forward I think. I did this:
Let:
B = Bonds
H = Home Loans
C = Car Loans
P = Personal Loans
Maximise
Z = 0.07B + 0.08H + 0.12C + 0.11P
Subject to:
P <=B
H <=C
P <= 125 Million
B,H,C,P >=0
B+H+C+P <= 500 Million

However, using the constraints as they are, intuitively - and supported by excel solver - the best way to maximise profits is to put everything into car loans (at 12% ROI). Am I right, or did I miss something?
I ask because it just seems too easy to lump it all into car loans, and it hardly matches the goal of minimising risk by spreading the loans.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Dr Zoidburg said:
However, using the constraints as they are, intuitively - and supported by excel solver - the best way to maximise profits is to put everything into car loans (at 12% ROI). Am I right, or did I miss something?
I ask because it just seems too easy to lump it all into car loans, and it hardly matches the goal of minimising risk by spreading the loans.

Based on the constraints, that seems like the right answer. It doesn't actually minimize risk by diversifying, but it satisfies the constraints that the problem defines as the ones chosen to minimize risk.

The problem would be more interesting if, say, personal loans had the highest yield instead of car loans. Then things would be more interesting because you have two upper bounds on P, whereas you only have the one lower bound on C.
 
Also, for c), instead of
P <= 125 Million
you may want
P <= .25*(B+H+C+P)

Turns out not to matter for this case though.
 
Hi, I'm just about to sign on my first home loan but want to know how close to good faith estimate will my loan be. I don't want to pay much more than what I was quoted. The loan agent at the mortgage company (referred by builder) has told me that the good faith estimate is a breakdown of what I can expect but he estimates it will be a bit lower. I don't want to lose my earnest money and money for upgrades if at closing it looks wrong. Please help me positively.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
10K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K